Glossary · Risk assessment and risk reduction
Risk evaluation
German: Risikobewertung
In machine safety, risk evaluation is the judgment, based on risk analysis, of whether risk reduction is required. It compares the estimated risk with the objectives of adequate risk reduction.
- Machine safety
- Risk assessment
In one sentence
Risk evaluation decides, based on the analysis, whether a risk needs further reduction or has been adequately reduced and can be accepted.
Example
After adding an interlocked guard to a conveyor transfer point, the team evaluates the remaining risk, confirms that the state of the art is met and closes the hazard in the log.
How it applies
- Criteria: ISO 12100 lists signs of adequate risk reduction, for example that all operating conditions and intervention procedures have been considered, hazards have been eliminated or reduced as far as practicable, and users are adequately informed about residual risks.
- Risk assessment: When evaluation shows that further reduction is needed, go back to risk reduction and then evaluate again, including any new hazards the measures introduce.
- Evidence: Each positive evaluation should be backed by a risk acceptance justification and linked to verification results.
- Comparison: Comparing with similar machinery is allowed as part of evaluation, but only when the hazards, conditions and state of the art are really comparable.
Risk evaluation vs. risk estimation
Risk estimation produces values for severity and probability. Risk evaluation interprets them against criteria and decides what to do next.